Best Movies of the Year: 2023

A city populated by the elements of nature? Check. A journey involving a boy, his sister, and a magical elephant? Check. And the most talked-about doll of the century? Of course! From cinema seats to our own couches, these movies held our full attention -- and sparked important conversations, too. Editorial Director Betsy Bozdech, Head of Streaming Movies Beth Pratt, and Executive Editor Danny Brogan carefully selected the titles on this list to showcase the best of the best movies released this year. Check out their great selections, and then dive into the rest of our favorite media picks from this year, linked below.

Check out the rest of our Best of 2023 favorites: TV Shows | Books | Video Games | Podcasts | U.K./International Films

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PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie: The Paw Patrol pups are all lined up, wearing brightly lit costumes
MOVIE

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie

age 5+

Superpowered pups use teamwork, courage vs. evil scientist.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Elemental Movie Poster: Ember and Wade look at each other, against a black background
MOVIE

Elemental

age 6+

Heartfelt, romantic fable about immigrant experience.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Ernest & Celestine: A bear and a mouse swing on a rope through a city
MOVIE

Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia

age 6+

Charming sequel about friendship, art has occasional peril.

In Theaters (Release Year: 2023)
The Little Mermaid Movie Poster: Ariel sits on a rock under the sea, surrounded by fish and other undersea creatures
MOVIE

The Little Mermaid (2023)

age 8+

Halle Bailey dazzles amid more intense live-action scenes.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
The Magician’s Elephant movie poster: Peter and the elephant.
MOVIE

The Magician's Elephant

age 8+

Child bravely faces danger in book-based tale of hope.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Movie Poster: Michelangelo rides a skateboard with the movie's title on the underside, while the other turtles are shown underneath
MOVIE

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

age 8+

Clever, tween-friendly animated reboot has action violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: Movie Poster
MOVIE

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

age 9+

Spidey sequel is an action-packed delight; peril, violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
The Boy and the Heron Movie Poster: Mahito stands next to the ocean
MOVIE

The Boy and the Heron

age 10+

Breathtaking personal story has self-harm, smoking.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Chang Can Dunk Movie Poster: Bloom Li alone on the court.
MOVIE

Chang Can Dunk

age 10+

High school underdog tale has bullying, life lessons.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
The First Slam Dunk Movie Poster: Five animated teenage Japanese basketball players look ready to compete
MOVIE

The First Slam Dunk

age 10+

Basketball anime about personal loss is a winner; language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
LIFT Movie Poster: A male ballet dancer is mid jump, and a little girl dancer looks at him
MOVIE

LIFT

age 10+

Poignant, inspiring doc about shelter kids who learn ballet.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
A Million Miles Away movie poster: Michael Peña as migrant worker turned astronaut José Hernández.
MOVIE

A Million Miles Away

age 10+

Positive messages in migrant-turned-astronaut underdog tale.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
True Spirit is based on a real story of a girl who sailed around the world.
MOVIE

True Spirit

age 10+

Teen faces perilous scenarios in inspirational true tale.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
World's Best movie poster: Indian American boy with backpack and holding black lunch bag center stands in front of colorful mural of boombox and himself and father rapping into microphones
MOVIE

World's Best

age 10+

Great songs, positive themes in sincere family comedy.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Afghan Dreamers movie poster: girls work together on project
MOVIE

Afghan Dreamers

age 11+

Inspiring docu shows power of education, hope; violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret: Movie Poster: Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) stands underneath the movie's title
MOVIE

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

age 11+

Faithful Blume adaptation explores puberty and religion.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Barbie: Movie Poster: Barbie and Ken on a giant pink-and-white B
MOVIE

Barbie

age 11+

Clever, colorful comedy with sophisticated themes, script.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
The League Movie Poster: A baseball jersey and gear are pictured, with the words "The League" in black
MOVIE

The League

age 11+

Insightful, informative Black baseball docu; violent images.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Nimona movie poster: Shapeshifter and knight to the rescue.
MOVIE

Nimona

age 11+

Book-based tale has both violence and positive messages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
Blue Beetle Movie Poster: A collage of the main characters
MOVIE

Blue Beetle

age 12+

Loving family, intense scenes in DC's Latino superhero tale.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)